Letlabika: Everything changed with Steve
Beaver Nazo: Great comeback to eventually win 2-1 against Bidvest Wits last weekend, with Tshegofatso Mabasa playing a key role coming off the bench.
Wandisile Letlabika: This was the most difficult game ever this season. We really wanted to make sure that we get something out of that one because we worked very hard on the night. The substitutes,, not only Mabaso, all did extremely well for us. The guys came in and changed the complexion of the game. The coach did well too because at half time he told us where to fix things and then he introduced the substitutes, who carried his instructions well.
BN: Good see you back on the field of play after a long injury layoff.
WL: Enkosi kakhulu, bhuti wam
maan (Thanks a lot, my brother). It was a bit difficult for me, but at least I’m back now and I am stronger than ever. But then again it was not that bad. You know, having a knee injury is not the same as having an ankle injury. A knee can easily make you retire, but through all of that, I was glad to have the support of my coach, who always encouraged me and told me that I would come back. My wife always encouraged me. I didn’t expect to be done with rehab so soon, although I must say I have stayed out for a long time, since the Telkom Knockout in December 2017. My physio asked me to go for a scan, which I did, only to be told by the doctors that I had to do an operation because there were two injuries on my knee. He told me that I had a meniscus and an ACL. I agreed to go for the operation because I didn’t want to underestimate the extent of the injury and end up finishing my career. I took the doctor’s advice. I am glad it is all over now and I can focus on the game.
BN: How did you keep yourself motivated during this frustrating period?
WL: The support I was getting from my wife at home and the rest of the Siwelele family was keeping me sane. It was hard to watch the soldiers sometimes struggle out there, but there was nothing I could do. It was through the support system that I have that I managed to pull through.
BN: On the field, Bloemfontein Celtic have started this season really well despite the challenges off it. What motivates them to do well?
WL: I think the coach that we have (Steve Komphela) is someone that you’d wish to have as your coach all your career. I think that in the past there was no unity in the team. We were individuals until coach Steve came in. Everybody was doing it for themselves and not for the team, but since coach Steve took over, everything has changed. He is also easy to understand.
BN: Easy to understand? Are you talking about the Steve Komphela of bombastic English words?
WL: Ha, ha, ha!
BN: Just kidding. You say there was no unity – why? And as one of the senior players in the team, what did you do about it?
WL: We did all we could to make sure that we do well on the field of play. We went to the final of the 2017 Telkom Knockout and we were a decent side. You wouldn’t say that we were not a united side, but it was never a big deal – it
For Bloemfontein Celtic’s bearded defender Wandisile Letlabika, the storm is over and sunny days lie in wait, if his experience of the last 10 months is anything to go by. It’s never easy for any footballer to have to deal with a long-term injury, but it’s even harder when you come back and the club is under a new coach. Yet the Kwa Ndokwenza-born player has nothing but praise for Steve Komphela, who has done a sterling job under somewhat difficult circumstances at the club so far this season. Soccer Laduma’s Beaver Nazo caught up with the reinvigorated Letlabika, who reacts to the loss of Alfred Ndengane and talks about the club’s exit from a cup competition they went all the way to the final of last season.
was just a minor thing that we talked about and we agreed to work together. It was nothing big and we didn’t let it spoil the bunch of good players we have. BN: On a serious note, it must be disappointing to be out of the Telkom Knockout after losing 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Last 16, having gone all the way to the final last season.
WL: It was really painful to lose to Sundowns because the game was fairly balanced. It was a 50-50 game where both teams were attacking. In the past, everybody would know the winner between us and Sundowns even before the game started, but now all of that has changed. We lost in the end but you could say the football gods were smiling on Sundowns on the day. It was really a true cup game and we cannot drop our heads about the result. Sundowns are my former team and, as you know, every player wishes to win against his former team, but luck was
not on our side. I am just happy about the performance we dished out on the day.
BN: You managed to redeem yourself against Baroka FC in the next game, although they made you sweat for the result. We saw coach Steve joining the players in celebration, a rare sight, seeing he hardly ever leaves the technical area.
WL: I think it was evidence of the unity that I mentioned to you. If we are united, then everything will fall into place. The coach joined us because he was waiting for us to score and what made him join us in celebration is that he saw how badly we wanted to win the game. It’s like when you are running a marathon and you feel tired, but in your mind you know that you have to get to the finish line – that motivates you to go even further. We are all working hard for the team. The celebration was a symbol of that. BN: The team has lost your defensive partner, Alfred Ndengane, who is currently training with Orlando Pirates. It was rumoured that the uncertainty caused by the club’s financial situation is what led to his departure. WL: It was very sad to see Alfred go. The two of us were soldiers at the back and we were joined by another soldier in Lorenzo Gordinho. Well, I don’t know, but I think he decided that he needed a change. It happens every day in modern football. Look at Cristiano Ronaldo for example – he had been with Real Madrid since 2009 and he decided that it was time to bid farewell to Los Blancos and there was nothing anyone could have done because he had already taken the decision. Alfred has left a void in the team and we will always miss him. I wish him everything of the best in his new venture.
BN: Your other soldier, Gordinho, will have to go back to Chiefs in December… WL: I’m not sure about when exactly he has to go back, but I will have to ask him – I wouldn’t want to give you an answer on something I am not sure about. But right now he is fully focused. He and I have clicked and our combination gets stronger every day. Remember it’s not easy to lose a teammate, but with time, it gets better and we will probably get someone else. We had Musa Nyatama, who was our pillar in midfield, but he left and joined Pirates. Losing Alfred and Lorenzo will hurt us, but with time, we will be okay. BN: Siwelele CEO, Khumbulani Khonco, admitted to the media that the players did indeed strike in September. How did you guys manage to still get positive results after boycotting training? WL: If you cannot change your mindset there’s nothing you can do. We decided to focus on playing football and let the management see to their side of things. That is why you saw a change even in the results of the team. We just shut the door to everything and opened it for football only. BN: Were all the players on strike? WL: No, I am not sure, bhuti wam, because I was still in rehab. I really cannot tell you exactly how it worked. But when I came back, it was when we decided to focus on our football.
BN: During your rehab, it was reported that you were paying for your medical fees, with the club promising to repay you. Did…
WL: (Cuts in) No, that is not true. I have a contract with Celtic and they knew that they had to pay for my rehab, which they did. Remember the team is responsible for my injury.
BN: What do you know about the ownership of the club? Who owns Bloemfontein Celtic at the moment?
WL: Well, in my contract it’s only written Bloemfontein Celtic and I would be lying to you if I say I know the answer to your question. A lot of things happened when I was away. I was told that the guys were introduced to the new owners and all that. But I get my salary from Bloemfontein Celtic every month-end and it comes directly from Bloemfontein Celtic.
“It’s like when you are running a marathon.” “A lot of things happened when I was away.”